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Posted August 17, 2011 03:11 pm

Head Back Healthy event provides serious fun and food

It's back to school time and thanks to the Head Back Healthy fair held August 6th at Kenai Middle School and sponsored by Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS) of Alaska. "It was a fun opportunity for kids and their families to gain preventative knowledge about heading back to school with healthier habits.

Booths included information on how eat better, how to brush their teeth correctly, how to wear a back pack that is not too heavy and how important exercise is and many other ways to prevent illnesses before they happen and stay healthy," said organizer Shawna Jackson of Peninsula Community Health Services.

Each child visiting the fair received a passport to have stamped at each information station which focused on fitness, prevention, and nutrition, when the child had their passport stamped full they received a free quality back pack donated by Fred Myers and were entered in a drawing to win a new bicycle. "We had a large turn out last year so we were anticipating another big year and that's the case and families seem to be coming out in record numbers for our second event," said PCHS executive director Stan Steadman. "We've learned a lot here today," said Soldotna Mayor and father of three daughters Peter Micciche, "The emergency response groups were here as well focusing on keeping our kids safe and healthy from bicycle safety to pedestrian safety and this event puts it all together and is a tremendous benefit to all the communities of the Peninsula to help our kids have a successful, healthy, and safe school year," added Micciche.

There was lots of helpful information for adults as well as kids and hundreds of families enjoyed a complementary lunch that featured familiar looking, but especially nutritious items like lean low calorie turkey burgers grilled up by volunteers Roy Wells and Bill Tappan. There was also an assortment of low fat deserts available along with free kid cook books that featured easy home made recipes for moms and dads. "We see this as an on going annual event that is growing every year and we truly appreciate all the local businesses and organizations that volunteer and help us sponsor the Head Back Healthy program," said Steadman.